Card Holder Device

ABSTRACT

A card holder for building a three-dimensional structure from rectangular planar cards is disclosed. The card holder has an elongated body with a center part and a plurality of ribs radiating from the center part. Adjoining ribs form card-receiving V-shaped channels for securing edges of the cards when constructing a house or tower of cards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to playthings and, more particularly to a device for holding planar objects, such as playing cards or index cards, from which a three-dimensional structure can be constructed.

In addition to conventional and intended use of such planar objects as playing cards and index cards, they have been used for building three-dimensional structures, such as towers, pyramids and other “card houses.” Construction of the three-dimensional structures from cards requires intellectual skill and dexterity since the planar objects have to be carefully arranged especially after the first “story” is built. Even most skillfully constructed card houses are fragile and can be easily deconstructed with one wrong move.

Building a three-dimensional structure out of a deck of playing cards can be a useful teaching tool to educate students about the forces involved in architecture, gravity, supports, etc. The weight of each floor of the house of cards must be distributed through many pairs of vertical walls that transmit the force to the surface, on which the house is built.

Some conventional means for reinforcing a card structure include folded cards that that have been folded accordion-style and placed long side down on the “ground” surface. The folds are usually oriented across the short side of cards. Other suggestions include folding cards into tubular bodies with a triangular cross-section and using these “tubes” as the supporting legs for the tower. Still other conventional means include paper clips, staples and other mechanical securing devices. However, such construction aids require destruction of some of the play cards, which will prevent them from being used for other card games.

The present invention contemplates provision of a structural member that can be used for engaging and supporting planar objects, such as play cards or index cards when constructing a three-dimensional structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a card holder device that can be used as a structural member when building three-dimensional structures from planar objects.

It is another object of the invention to provide a card holder device that can support and retain planar objects in a desired orientation relative to adjoining planar objects.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved through a provision of a holder device for planar members, such as playing cards or rectangular cards. The card holder device comprises an elongated body having a center part and a plurality of unitary connected ribs radiating from the center part. The number of ribs is a matter of choice. The ribs extend along substantially entire length of the elongated body, each rib extending at an angle in relation to an adjoining rib and forming, with the adjoining rib, a receiving channel for a planar member or other rectangular card.

The card-receiving channels have V-shaped cross-section allowing one side of the card to be fitted therein, while another side of the card is engaged within a card-receiving groove or channel of another card holder. One of the holder devices has a flat bottom particularly useful when building a three-dimensional structure on a horizontal support surface, such as a table.

A kit is provided containing a plurality of holder devices with different numbers of radiating ribs and one or more sets of rectangular cards. The card sets can be conventional playing cards, cardstock pieces or other desired planar members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the card holder/structural member according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the structural member according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the structural member according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the structural member according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the structural member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary three-dimensional structure that can be built using the structural members of the instant invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a kit according to the present invention containing card holders and a deck of cards.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates the structural member according to the first embodiment of this invention. The structural member 10 comprises an elongated body 12 having a predetermined length of between about 1.5″ (38.1 mm) to about 2.5″ (63.5 mm). In one aspect of the invention, the preferred length of the body 12 is two inches (50.8 mm). Of course, other dimensions can be used for the elongated structural member depending on the size of the planar members to be engaged.

The body 12 has a center part 14, from which a plurality of unitary connected ribs radiates. In one aspect of the invention, the ribs extend radially from the center part 14 to equal distances such that the length of each rib in cross section is substantially equal to the length of the other ribs in cross section. Of course, it is possible to have the ribs extend to shorter or longer distances from the center part 14, if desired. For instance the opposing ribs 17 and 21 can be formed shorter than the remainder of the ribs. The ribs extend along entire length of the body 12, with each rib being oriented at an acute angle in relation to an adjoining rib.

In this embodiment of the card holder, the body 12 is provided with eight ribs designated by numerals 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23. The ribs 16-23 are arranged in opposing pairs, with rib 16 being a minor image of the opposing rib 20, rib 17 being a minor image of the opposing rib 21, rib 18 being a minor image of the opposing rib 22, and rib 19 being a mirror image of the opposing rib 23. In cross section, the body 12 resembles an eight-pointed asterisk or star.

The adjoining ribs form V-shaped channels between each pair of adjoining ribs. In this embodiment, eight V-shaped channels are formed, the channels being designated by numerals 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31. The channel 24 is formed between adjoining ribs 16 and 17; channel 25—between the ribs 17 and 18; channel 26—between the ribs 18 and 19; channel 27—between the ribs 19 and 20; channel 28—between the ribs 20 and 21; channel 29—between the ribs 21 and 22; channel 30—between the ribs 22 and 23; and channel 31—between the ribs 23 and 16. Each of the channels 24-31 is disposed to receive in frictional engagement an edge of a planar member, as will be explained in more detail hereinafter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the card holder device of the present invention. The second embodiment is designated by numeral 40 and is seen comprising an elongated body 42 having six elongated ribs unitary connected to a center part 45 and radiating therefrom. The ribs 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51, extend along substantially length of the elongated body 42. The ribs 46-51 have an optional equal length extension from the center part 45. In one of the preferred embodiments, the opposing ribs 47 and 50 can be formed shorter than the other ribs. As with the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the elongated body 42 has a predetermined length of between about 1.5″ (38.1 mm) to about 2.5″ (63.5 mm), and in one of the preferred embodiments, the length of about two inches (50.8 mm).

The ribs 46-51 are oriented at acute angles in relation to each other and form six V-shaped card-receiving channels 53 (between the ribs 46 and 47), 54 (between the ribs 47 and 48), 55 (between the ribs 48 and 49), 56 (between the ribs 49 and 50), 57 (between the ribs 50 and 51), and 58 (between the ribs 51 and 46).

FIG. 3 illustrates a seven-rib embodiment of the present invention. The card holder 60 of the third embodiment comprises an elongated body 62 having seven ribs radiating from a center part 63. The ribs 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69 and 70 are unitary connected to the center part 63 and form seven V-shaped card-receiving channels 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76. The channel 70 is formed between the ribs 64 and 65, the channel 71—between the ribs 65 and 66, the channel 72—between the ribs 66 and 67, the channel 73—between the ribs 67 and 68, the channel 74—between the ribs 68 and 69, the channel 75—between the ribs 69 and 70, and the channel 76—between the elongated ribs 70 and 64. In this embodiment, similar to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the ribs 64-70 is oriented at an acute angle in relation to an adjoining rib. Even though the drawings illustrate the elongated ribs 64-70 having outside edges that extending to the same distance from the center part 63, it will be appreciated that the ribs 64-0 may have different widths, just like the ribs in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The rib 64 extends in an opposite direction from its mirror image rib 68; the rib 65 has a mirror image opposing rib 69; and the rib 66 has an opposing minor image rib 70. The rib 67, which extends between the ribs 66 and 68 has no such pair. For convenience, this design can be characterized as an asymmetric seven-point asterisk.

FIG. 4 illustrates a five-rib embodiment of the present invention. The card holder 80 of the fourth embodiment comprises an elongated body 82 having five ribs radiating from a center part 83. The ribs 84, 85, 86, 87, and 88 are unitary connected to the center part 83 and form four V-shaped card-receiving channels 90, 91, 92 and 93. The channel 90 is formed between the ribs 84 and 85, the channel 91—between the ribs 86 and 87, the channel 92—between the ribs 87 and 88, and the channel 93—between the ribs 88 and 84.

In this embodiment, the ribs 85 and 86 are oriented at a straight angle in relation to each other and form a flat, obtrusion-free bottom surface 94. This particular embodiment of the card holder device forms a base piece, or base member which can be used, inter alia, to form a stable support for three-dimensional structures.

FIG. 5 illustrates the fifth embodiment of the card holder 100 of the instant invention, a device that has an X-shaped cross section. In this embodiment, the card holder body 102 has a center part 103 from which four ribs 104, 105, 106, and 107 radiate. V-shaped channels are formed between adjoining ribs. A channel 108 is formed between the ribs 104 and 105, channel 109—between the ribs 105 and 106, channel 110—between the ribs 106 and 107, and channel 111—between the ribs 107 and 104. The ribs 104 and 106 form an opposing pair, and ribs 105 and 107 form another opposing mirror image pair.

Turning now to the exemplary view of FIG. 6, a method of using the card holder devices 10, 40, 60, 80, and 100 will be explained in more detail. The card holder devices are disposed to connect rectangular planar members, such as for instance playing cards or other such objects to form a three-dimensional structure 120 of any desired configuration. The method provides for the use of several base pieces 80 that form a “foundation,” which supports the structure 120 on a horizontal surface. The structure 120 utilizes base pieces 80 a, 80 b, 80 c, and 80 d.

A first planar member 121 has opposing ends 122 and 123 and transverse sides 124 and 125. The end 122 is engaged with the groove 90 of the base piece 80 a, while the opposite end 123 is engaged with the V-shaped groove 91 of the base piece 80 b. A second planar member 126 has opposing ends 127, 128 and transverse sides 129, 130. The end 127 is engaged within the groove 90 of the base piece 80 b, while the second end 128 is engaged within the groove 91 of the base piece 80 c. The third planar member 132 has opposing ends 134, 135 and transverse sides 136, 137. The end 134 is engaged in the groove 90 of the base piece 80 c, and the end 135 is engaged in the groove 91 of the base piece 80 d.

It will be appreciated that the structure 120 can have as many base pieces connecting planar members as desired. Furthermore, the planar members may be rotated 90 degrees and have transverse side engage with the base pieces if desired.

The user can then build on the foundation by engaging a lower end 141 of a fourth planar member 140 with the groove 93 of the base piece 80 a, a lower end 142 of a fifth planar member 143 with the groove 92 of the base piece 80 b, and then placing other planar members 144, 145, 146 and 147 in the grooves 93 and 92 of the base pieces 80 b, 80 c and 80 d, similarly to the planar members 140 and 143.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the planar members 140 and 143 have their upper ends in an adjacent relationship and engaged with the grooves 28 and 25 of the card holder device 10, respectively. The engagement of the upper ends of the planar members 140 and 143 within the grooves of the card holder device 10 orients the planar members 140 and 143 at an acute angle in relation to a vertical axis of the structure 120. Upper ends of the planar members 144 and 145 are seen engaged within grooves 70 and 75 of the card holder device 60, which engagement also orients the planar members 144 and 145 at an acute angle to the vertical axis of the structure 120. Upper ends of the planar members 146 and 147 are engaged within the grooves 56 and 54 of the card holder member 40, orienting the planar members 146 and 147 at an acute angle in relation to the vertical axis of the structure 120.

Once the upper ends of the planar members 140, 143, 145, and 147 are secured with the card holder devices, the user can build a “bridge” over apexes of the inverted V-structures formed in the first story of the structure 120 by the planar members 140, 143, 144, 145, and 146. The user will engage other grooves of the card holder devices with the additional planar members. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, a planar member 150 is engaged within the groove 24 of the card holder device 10 and within the groove 71 of the card holder devices. A planar member 152 spans between the card holder devices 60 and 40 and is engaged with the grooves 74 of the device 60 and the groove 57 of the device 50.

Building of the second “story” and subsequent “stories” of the structure 120 can be accomplished by using more planar members and engaging them with the grooves of the card holder devices 10, 40, 60, 80, and 100. Once the user finishes construction of the three-dimensional structure, the user can easily deconstruct the structure 120 by removing the card holder devices and allowing the cards to collapse. It will be understood that the exact shape of the tower or structure 120 is a matter of choice and FIG. 6 illustrates one of such structures.

The card holder devices can be used numerous times for building different structures. In one aspect of the invention, the card holder devices of the present invention can be formed from a variety of natural and synthetic materials. The size of the card holder devices can be selected for use with standard playing cards or other rectangular card stock members. The card stock can be decorated with a variety of designs on its flat surfaces, not necessarily the conventional card designations. The number of ribs in the card holder device is a matter of choice and is not limited to the number illustrated herein in the drawings.

It is envisioned that the length and width of the radiating ribs can differ. For instance, the ribs may be formed shorter than the length of the center part allowing the center part to be used as a “handle” when manipulating the card holder devices. The ribs may also have different widths so that the ribs have different extension length in relation to the center part.

The present invention also provides for a kit 160 for playing a construction game and building three-dimensional structures using the card holder devices and planar members. The kit 160 comprises a plurality of planar card members, such as a deck of cards 162 and a plurality of elongated card holder devices 10, 40, 60, 80 and 100. It will be appreciated that any desired number of the different types (embodiments) of the card holder devices can be included in the kit 160. The kit 160 can also contain more than one deck of cards to give the user a greater number of planar members for the construction of three-dimensional structures. The cards should preferably be formed of rigid stock to provide relative stability to the three-dimensional structures.

Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the appended claims. 

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 26. A method of constructing a three-dimensional structure from rectangular planar members, comprising the steps: providing a plurality of holder devices, each holder device comprising an elongated body having a center part and a plurality of unitary connected ribs radiating from the center part, each rib extending at an angle in relation to an adjoining rib; defining a channel for receiving planar members between adjoining ribs; engaging one side of the planar member in one of the channels of a first holder device and engaging an opposite side of the planar member in one of the channels of a second holder device.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the ribs define V-shaped channels between adjoining ribs.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein at least a pair of the holder devices have substantially flat bottom surfaces and wherein said ribs extend outwardly from the bottom surfaces.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein said pair of the holder devices defines a base member.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first holder device and the second holder device is each formed as a base member.
 31. The method of claim 26, comprising a step of orienting a pair of planar members upwardly and at at an angle to each other to form an inverted V-shaped structure and securing an apex of the V-shaped structure with a holder device.
 32. The method of claim 26, comprising a step of constructing a plurality of inverted V-shaped structures using the planar members and connecting bases of said inverted V-shaped structures with the holder devices.
 33. The method of claim 26, comprising a step of orienting a pair of planar members upwardly and at an angle to each other to form each inverted V-shaped structure and securing apices of the V-shaped structures with holder devices.
 34. The method of claim 26, wherein each of said holder members comprises at least four ribs and defines an X-shaped cross section.
 35. The method of claim 26, wherein each of said holder members comprises at least five ribs.
 36. The method of claim 26, wherein each of said holder members comprises at least six ribs.
 37. The method of claim 26, wherein each of said holder members comprises at least seven ribs.
 38. The method of claim 26, wherein each of said holder members comprises at least eight ribs.
 39. The method of claim 26, wherein each rib extends at an angle in relation to an adjoining rib.
 40. The method of claim 26, wherein each rib extends at an acute in relation to an adjoining rib.
 41. The method of claim 26, wherein said ribs have substantially equal width. 